Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-09-04
DAILY HERALD.
A MATCH PEDDLER'S RISE.
The Romantic History Of a Rich
Spanish NOblemam.

rhs Romantic History Of n Rich
Spanish NObleman.
New York star.l
NKw YORK, August 16.-The forth
coming fight between Jake Kilrain, Of
Baltimore, and Jem Smith, the Eng
lish champion, is to be fought in
Spain, on the es tate of the Marquis de
San Basillo, one of the richest noble
men of that country. After the fight
the marquis will accompany the Amer.
lean party back to this country. If he
does it will not be the first time that
he has been on the western side o.
the water, and if the fight takes place
ON his estate, it may be the occasion
of reviving the rather unpleasant no
toriety which the marquis enjoyed
some years ago when he was darkly
charged by the press Of the City o.
Mexico with having instigated no less
than four murders. How truthful
these charges were no one but the
marquis will perhaps ever know. The
matter quieted down, and except fol
occasional hints in the Mexican press,
seems to have been almost forgotten.
The history of this marquis would
furnish a plot for a sensational novel
that would gladden. the heart OF a
small boy. Thirty years ago you
might have bought a box of matches
from the present marquis on the
streets of the Mexican seaport Quay
mas. Now he is lone of the wealth.
lest noblemen OF Spain," and at one
time aspired, it is said, to the hand in
marriage of the younger sister of the
late Alfonso, King of Spain. Years
ago he was Jorge Carmona, the match
peddler. Now he is the Marquis de
San Basilio, over whom New York
title worshippers will rave when he
visits this city. Even as a match boy
the marquis was ambitious, though
his ambition never, even in its wild
est flights, scared to kings sister in
those days. He only aspired to be-
come merchandise vender on a lar
ger scale than his retail operation in
matches allowed. And his ambition
was satisfied. By the exercise of the
natural shrewdness which he pos
sessed and by dint of close applica-
fion to business, he soon found him
self the proprietor of well stocked
little store in which matches formed
only an unimportant factor.
His business fourished, and with it
his ambition. He now aspired to the
military. The plebeian pursuits of a
fradesman were beneath his dignity.
Accordingly he sold out his matches,
good will, ETC., and with apart Of the
proceeds of the sale he purchased a
lieutenant's commission in the army
Of the republic.
He was now full-fedged son OF
Mars, and he did honor to his epau-
let's.
In the ranks of the republicans
under Juarez, he did noble service
against the French invaders, under
Maximillian.
Where the fighting was fiercest, and
the bullets flew thickest, Lieutenant
Carmona could always be found.
He became a captain. He became
a colonel. Then no was given COM
mand of brigade, whose commander
was temporarily disabled.
This was the present Marquis op-
portunity, or rather one OF his oppor'
tunities, for he has had many.
His ambition, which had made him
forsake the humble but honest calling
of match peddler, had kept pace with
his advancement in life. In fact, il
had always kept a slight lead on his
advancement. He was in command
of a position of vital importance to the
Republicans. To dislodge him from
the position was almost impossible fol
Maximilian. Now or never was Car.
mona's chance, and he grasped it with
both hands.
He sold out to the invaders.
For this piece of treachery Maxi.
milan rewarded him by making him
master of the horse. Master of the
horse to Macmillan l.. emperor oi
Mexico, erstwhile a matchboy on the
streets of Guaymas. Quite little
change. His was the most desirable
position at the court of the Austrian
emperor of Mexico. He lived in the
City of Mexico and fairly rolled in
wealth and luxury. He became a
great favorite with Maximilian, and
was by many considered the most
powerful man at court. Wealth
poured in on him from all sides
Everybody was anxious to gain the
good will of the master OF the horse,
and he was in no wise backward in
letting them see how they could dc
this. Through his pocket they could
find a never-failing route to his heart
Then came the crash. Through the
intervention of the United States Ma.
poleon of France was coerced into
Withdrawing his soldiers, whom he
had sent over to assist Maximilian in
setting up his throne. Now it was
Republicans against Royalists in Mex.
ico. The Liberal party, with Juare2
at its head, against the church party
with the foreign prince at its head
The Republicans triumphed. Maxi
milan was shot. With the fatal six
shots which rang out Maximilian's
doom at Queretaro, all of the fine
things of this life with which his mas
ter OF the horse had surrounded him.
self, was swept away. His palace, his
country place, his carriages, his horses,
all of which Maximilian had kindly
IfdlSiSfftu lTOll Jlit pOSScSSlOu VI lil,
"rebellious subjects" to him, all all
were gone. The unfeeling "rebels'
confiscated them. Once more he was
plain Jorge Carmona, with not a
penny in his pocket.
What was he to do now?
Contact with all the fine people at
Maximilian's court had polished his
tastes to that extent that to go back
TO his old honest calling OF selling
,matches to the walking public he
found impossible. Tie very idea
nauseated him. No; he would live
like gentleman-by his wits.
For years he had knocked about the
City of Mexico. AS card sharp he
scored his greatest triumphs. He was
complete master of all those little
tricks which are employed by not
over scrupulous gentlemen" when
their pocketbooks are slim. But as a
card sharp he excelled. He could
produce the ace of spades, or the king